Paris Brunner, the young German striker, gave the principality club a first-half lead with his sixth goal in seven games since the beginning of the campaign. Matthieu Udol headed in the equaliser on the hour mark for last season’s runners-up Lens, who were playing their first match since the shock sacking of coach Dino Toppmoeller after just six games in charge. Folarin Balogun made his first appearance of the season as Monaco continued their strong start in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 win over Lens on Friday to go clear at the top of the table.
Folarin Balogun made his first appearance of the season as Monaco continued their strong start in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 win over Lens on Friday to go clear at the top of the table.
But Cahuzac saw his team slump to defeat as unlucky defender Jonathan Gradit headed into his own net in the 84th minute. Balogun came off the bench in the 76th minute, taking to the field for the first time since the World Cup. He caught the eye with his performances at the tournament, scoring three goals for co-hosts the United States.
Balogun was therefore cleared to play against the Belgians, but the USA lost 4-1. That would have ruled him out of the last-16 clash with Belgium before an intervention by US President Donald Trump led to FIFA suspending the card. The 25-year-old former Arsenal striker then looked set to join Everton in a £40 million ($54 million) move on transfer deadline day at the start of this month, only to have a last-minute change of heart.
